Treatment of Ota's nevus with the Alexandrite Laser.
- Author:
Ho Jung KANG
1
;
Jeong Hee HAHM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Ewha womans University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Alexandrite laser;
Nevus of Ota
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Cicatrix;
Coloring Agents;
Dermis;
Humans;
Lasers, Solid-State*;
Melanocytes;
Melanosomes;
Microscopy, Electron;
Nevus of Ota*;
Skin
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
1996;34(6):961-967
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Recently, Q-switched lasers have been reported to be successful in treating Ota's nevus without scarring. Utilizing the principle of selective photothermolysis, the Alexandrite laser has been developed for dermal pigmented lesions and tattoos. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the clinical, histopathological and ultrastructual effect of the Alexandrite laser in the tretment of Nevus of Ota. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with nevus of Ota were treated with energy densities ranging from 5.0 to 8.0 J/cm2 at a miriimum of 6 week intervals. Sequential skin biopsy specimens were processed for the light microscope with H&E and Fontana-Masson stains and the electron microscope. RESULTS: The average number of treatments were 2.8 per patient. After two treatment sessions, 93 % patients 26 to 75% imprivement was seen. After three treatments 50 to 95% improvement was seen. No patients had permanent textual changes or scarring. On light microscop most of the dendritic melanocytes in the upper dermis were not observed in biopsy specimens taken after clinical improvement. Electron microscopy revealed damaged melanosomes in the upper dermis immediately after irradiation. CONCLUSION: Treatment with the Alexandrite laser for nevus of Ota is considered to be a safe and effective method.
